Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rapid nucleic acid purification from sources heavily contaminated with high particulate material, such as cellular debris, and solids, including suspended solids. In particular, this invention provides methods for rapid, quantifiable recovery and purification of nucleic acids from a variety of sources heavily contaminated with solids, such as small organisms, tissue samples, samples of blood found on soil, or samples of washing from foods, which are frequently difficult sources for nucleic acid isolation due to their propensity to clog filters and columns. A device and kit are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences, either by a process of amplification of specific nucleic acid sequences or not. More particularly the invention provides for improved compositions and methods for reducing the chance for contamination from manipulation of reagents, internal controls for amplification, and the use of automated apparatus for the automated detection of one, or more than one amplified nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences after an amplification process, or directly without amplification. In particular, the invention provides for the automation of the amplification and detection process, the amplification and detection of one or more specific nucleic acid sequences, the use of internal controls, reduced potential for contamination caused by the manual manipulation of reagents, and improved reagent compositions to better control assay performance and provide for further protection against contamination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences, either by a process of amplification of specific nucleic acid sequences or not. More particularly the invention provides for improved compositions and methods for reducing the chance for contamination from manipulation of reagents, internal controls for amplification, and the use of automated apparatus for the automated detection of one, or more than one amplified nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rapid nucleic acid purification from sources heavily contaminated with high particulate material, such as cellular debris, and solids, including suspended solids. In particular, this invention provides methods for rapid, quantifiable recovery and purification of nucleic acids from a variety of sources heavily contaminated with solids, such as small organisms, tissue samples, samples of blood found on soil, or samples of washing from foods, which are frequently difficult sources for nucleic acid isolation due to their propensity to clog filters and columns. A device and kit are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences after an amplification process, or directly without amplification. In particular, the invention provides for the automation of the amplification and detection process, the amplification and detection of one or more specific nucleic acid sequences, the use of internal controls, reduced potential for contamination caused by the manual manipulation of reagents, and improved reagent compositions to better control assay performance and provide for further protection against contamination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences after an amplification process, or directly without amplification. In particular, the invention provides for the automation of the amplification and detection process, the amplification and detection of one or more specific nucleic acid sequences, the use of internal controls, reduced potential for contamination caused by the manual manipulation of reagents, and improved reagent compositions to better control assay performance and provide for further protection against contamination.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rapid nucleic acid purification from sources heavily contaminated with high particulate material, such as cellular debris, and solids, including suspended solids. In particular, this invention provides methods for rapid, quantifiable recovery and purification of nucleic acids from a variety of sources heavily contaminated with solids, such as small organisms, tissue samples, samples of blood found on soil, or samples of washing from foods, which are frequently difficult sources for nucleic acid isolation due to their propensity to clog filters and columns. A device and kit are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences, either by a process of amplification of specific nucleic acid sequences or not. More particularly the invention provides for improved compositions and methods for reducing the chance for contamination from manipulation of reagents, internal controls for amplification, and the use of automated apparatus for the automated detection of one, or more than one amplified nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences, either by a process of amplification of specific nucleic acid sequences or not. More particularly the invention provides for improved compositions and methods for reducing the chance for contamination from manipulation of reagents, internal controls for amplification, and the use of automated apparatus for the automated detection of one, or more than one amplified nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences after an amplification process, or directly without amplification. In particular, the invention provides for the automation of the amplification and detection process, the amplification and detection of one or more specific nucleic acid sequences, the use of internal controls, reduced potential for contamination caused by the manual manipulation of reagents, and improved reagent compositions to better control assay performance and provide for further protection against contamination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences after an amplification process, or directly without amplification. In particular, the invention provides for the automation of the amplification and detection process, the amplification and detection of one or more specific nucleic acid sequences, the use of internal controls, reduced potential for contamination caused by the manual manipulation of reagents, and improved reagent compositions to better control assay performance and provide for further protection against contamination.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for a nucleic acid amplification reaction has a first chamber containing an amplification reagent mix, a second chamber containing an amplification enzyme, and a fluid channel or chamber connecting the first and second chambers together. A fluid sample is introduced into the first chamber. After a denaturation and primer annealing process has occurred in the first chamber, the fluid channel is opened to allow the solution of the reagent and fluid sample to flow into the second chamber. The second chamber is maintained at an optimal temperature for the amplification reaction.A station is described for processing test strips incorporating the reaction vessels. The station includes temperature and vacuum control subsystems to maintain proper temperatures in the reaction vessel and effectuate the transfer of the fluid from one chamber to the other in an automated fashion without human intervention.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for effectively disrupting biological samples contained in cuvettes to which beads have been added. In the apparatus, a special arm/bearing subassembly is driven and oscillated by a motor in a manner to attain cellular disruption of the biological samples without degradation of their cellular components. In the preferred form, the special arm/bearing subassembly has a cam, bearings, and a bearing sleeve which cooperate with a motor drive shaft to rotate a yoke with two arms holding four cuvettes. For increased safety and environmental protection, special sample retainers can be provided to better secure the cuvettes and the arm/bearing subassembly is enclosed in a sample chamber which provides a secondary containment compartment that contain any spillage.